Beijing Trip Report – Minneapolis to Dallas –
I recently went on a weekend trip to Beijing on American Airlines. The trip included travel on the 787 Dreamliner as well as exploring two hotels in the city.
The trip report will include the following posts:
Beijing Trip Report – Introduction
Beijing Trip Report – American Airlines Minneapolis to Dallas Fort Worth
Beijing Trip Report – American Admiral’s Club at DFW – D Club
Beijing Trip Report – American Airlines Dallas Fort Worth to Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – Grand Hyatt Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – Park Hyatt Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – Sightseeing in Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – Air China First Class Lounge in Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – BGS Lounge in Beijing
Beijing Trip Report – American Airlines Beijing to Dallas Fort Worth
Beijing Trip Report – American Admiral’s Club at DFW
Beijing Trip Report – American Airlines Dallas Fort Worth to Minneapolis
Beijing Trip Report – American Airlines Minneapolis to Dallas Fort Worth
Date: February 26, 2016
Flight: American Airlines 1306
From: Minneapolis – MSP
To: Dallas Fort Worth – DFW
Aircraft: 737
Seat: 4B
My flight to Dallas was upgraded a few days before departure. I did not receive an email notification; however, when I checked the seating a couple days before the flight, it showed that I was upgraded.
My trip to Beijing started with an early morning trip to the airport at Minneapolis. It appears that the Spring Break/Winter vacation season has started because the offsite airport lots are on reservation only and the terminal was very crowded.
Due to the fact that this was an international trip where a visa was required, I had to wait in line for an agent to validate the passport and visa. When I arrived the security line was very long and it stretched halfway through the terminal.
I walked through the people waiting in line and located the American Airlines check in area. There was a line of four people in the Premium Line. I joined the line and was assisted within five or six minutes by an agent who invited me to the desk. The agent greeted me warmly and offered assistance. I presented my passport and informed him where I was going. In addition, I pointed out where he could find the visa. The agent thanked me and he processed the check in. The agent provided the boarding passes and he informed me that a new security line was open and that it had a TSA Pre-Check line as well. The agent provided directions and he wished me a pleasant journey.
The security line was at the far end of the terminal beyond where the American check in desks. The regular line stretched way down the terminal to the middle near the United check in area. There was a Pre-Check line to the left with only about five people in line. I joined the line and it moved quickly. A TSA agent invited me forward and he verified my identity before wishing me a good flight. The checkpoint had a slight backup; however, I was able to clear security within about 10 minutes.
After exiting security, I had about an hour before the flight so I went for a walk in the terminal. It was a little later then my normal morning flights so I was able to get a coffee as well.
After my walk, I approached the boarding area about five minutes before the scheduled boarding time. This flight was departing out of the normal American Airlines gate area in E so it was a much more pleasant experience than the typical morning flights which operate out of the shared gates in C.
I stood around in the boarding area until boarding began. I joined the line and when I reached the front an gate agent invited me forward. The gate agent scanned my boarding pass and she invited me on the plane.
Two flight attendants were standing at the door and they both welcomed me. I took located my seat and stored my bag before taking a seat.
The seat is a standard 737 first class seat with power outlet and recline. The aircraft had overhead video screens.
Within a few minutes, a flight attendant approached me and offered a pre-departure beverage. I requested water and she offered it with ice. I declined. The flight attendant thanked me and she informed me she would be back shortly to store my coat.
The flight attendant returned a few minutes later and presented the water. The flight attendant thanked me and she offered to store my coat at that time.
The boarding process went by quickly and the boarding completed about five minutes before the scheduled departure time. The aircraft departed the gate a minute or two early.
The flight attendants prepared the cabin for take off as well as showed the safety video. This one was the standard old video with the old aircraft livery. After a short taxi, the Captain made an announcement asking the flight attendants to take a seat.
Once the plane was in the air the flight attendants made the typical announcements and welcomed all the passengers on the flight.
After about 15 minutes a flight attendant approached my seat, greeted me using my name and she asked what I would like to drink. I requested vodka cranberry. The flight attendant thanked me.
She returned a few minutes later and presented the beverage on a cocktail napkin and she asked me to enjoy.
The flight attendant returned within a few minutes and she offered a choice from the morning snack basked. The snack basket included bananas and breakfast breads and fig bars. I declined a snack at that time. The flight attendant thanked me.
The flight attendants were visible in the cabin and they frequently offered additional beverages. In addition, the snack basket was offered a second time.
A television show was presented on the overhead screens. The picture quality was good. I did not listen to the audio on this flight.
I relaxed at my seat, watched a show on my iPad and used my laptop for a while. WiFi was available; however, I did not utilize it on this flight.
Shortly before departure, the flight attendants cleaned the cabin and they made a few announcements. The Captain also made a brief announcement about the arrival.
The flight landed on time and after an average taxi time, the aircraft reached a gate. The gate agent made a brief announcement when the door was opened before inviting the passengers to exit the aircraft.
When I walked by the door, the two flight attendants thanked me sincerely and they wished me a good day.
I exited the plane and made my way to the Admiral’s Club to relax prior to my flight to Beijing.
Overall I felt that the flight was excellent. The flight attendants were friendly and attentive and it was nice that they made sure everyone had what they needed during the flight.